Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  May 27, 2025

2 Smart Ways to Re-Engage Past Clients (Without Overpromoting)

Keeping in touch with past clients is tricky. You want to stay on their radar without sounding like you’re asking, “Need anything?” or “Ready to work with me again?” That kind of outreach can feel awkward—or worse, desperate.

A recent MarketingProfs article nailed this tension. While it offered a solid checklist of ways to re-engage customers based on product usage, there’s a more strategic question marketers should ask: How to re-engage past clients in a way that feels natural, not promotional? And does it without sounding “spammy”?

So, what does smart, non-spammy outreach look like? Here are two proven ways to re-engage past clients and keep the relationship strong.

• Send an invitation. Ask them to be a guest on your podcast or featured in a blog post. Invite them to speak on a panel or catch up at an industry event. This kind of outreach is personal, flattering, and opens the door to fresh conversations.

• Use personalized humor. When you’ve worked closely with someone, you’ve likely learned a bit about their quirks, hobbies, or pet peeves. Use that to your advantage. A well-timed meme or funny article shows you remember them—and reminds them how much fun it was to work together.

Notice what is not on the list: promotional emails. Send them what you send everyone else but be aware of overpromoting. These folks know who you are.

As sales become more advocate-driven, it’s worthwhile to maintain positive past relationships. Knowing how to re-engage past clients—in a way that feels authentic—helps you stay top of mind without overpromoting.

Now Read This:

• The Art of Caring: How to Support Laid Off Clients and Open Future Doors
• Competitive Branding for B2B Professional Service Firms

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